Scotrail Class 385 Discussion

[Failed Unit]

Fair enough on the refurbed 365s then, it's not a type of train I use very often so I must be out of date.

The one that I was on around three years ago was absolutely bogging and way worse than anything on Scotrail - seat covers worn right through, years of filth on the floor and walls, and an unidentified liquid sloshing amongst a sea of litter around my feet. I'm not saying that the litter would still be there when it came north, but you never know...

I bit like the Haymarket based 158s (with the Richmond seats) they were dreadful. The Inverness refurbished ones were brilliant in comparison.

 

[benbristow]

Not sure what 365 you've been on, but that doesn't describe the units post their last refurb.

They are more than fit for purpose for ScotRail - the seats are really a neutral colour (blue) so don't need anything doing to them.

Some of the 156s that run on the Glasgow->East Kilbride service have green seats for crying out loud. Doubt it really matters.

 

[hexagon789]

Some of the 156s that run on the Glasgow->East Kilbride service have green seats for crying out loud. Doubt it really matters.

They are more comfy that the new ones in my opinion.

 

[benbristow]

They are more comfy that the new ones in my opinion.

I like the new ones tbh. They're at perfect laptop height to the table.

 

[hexagon789]

I like the new ones tbh. They're at perfect laptop height to the table.

I find then a bit hard, but reasonable enough for short journeys.

 

[benbristow]

I find then a bit hard, but reasonable enough for short journeys.

Exactly. Glasgow to East Kilbride is quite a short journey tbh.

 

[hexagon789]

Exactly. Glasgow to East Kilbride is quite a short journey tbh.

I make a far shorter journey than that usually.

 

[gsnedders]

Some of the 156s that run on the Glasgow->East Kilbride service have green seats for crying out loud. Doubt it really matters.

They're just the standard old SPT ones, are they not? Still found on a few of the North Clyde Electrics, too.

 

[hexagon789]

They're just the standard old SPT ones, are they not? Still found on a few of the North Clyde Electrics, too.

A few of the West Highland ones seem to be regulars now.

 

[hexagon789]

They're just the standard old SPT ones, are they not? Still found on a few of the North Clyde Electrics, too.

Oh, wait. You mean the seats? There are two 170s will the old SPT "Green seats" if that's what you mean?

 

[gsnedders]

Oh, wait. You mean the seats? There are two 170s will the old SPT "Green seats" if that's what you mean?

Yes, I mean the seats. I was thinking of 318/320/334s; I think all the 334s now have the saltire moquette, but some of the 318/320s still have the old SPT moquette, I'm pretty sure, sometimes even with one or two seat cushions replaced with saltire ones!

 

[hexagon789]

Yes, I mean the seats. I was thinking of 318/320/334s; I think all the 334s now have the saltire moquette, but some of the 318/320s still have the old SPT moquette, I'm pretty sure, sometimes even with one or two seat cushions replaced with saltire ones!

Yes, I've seen a 320 with a Saltire cover either side of the older style on a Cathcart Circle service a few weeks ago.

 

[SC318250]

318s all saltire seats now

 

[hexagon789]

318s all saltire seats now

Haven't had a 318 in ages, when I went to the SECC in February it was pretty much solid 320s other than one 320/318 combo it seemed.

 

[GaryMcEwan]

Oh, wait. You mean the seats? There are two 170s will the old SPT "Green seats" if that's what you mean?

Not anymore, 170470 and 170471 have been refurbished and the green seats are gone and replaced with Scotrail moquette.

 

[hexagon789]

Not anymore, 170470 and 170471 have been refurbished and the green seats are gone and replaced with Scotrail moquette.

Didn't know that. Have all the 170s been refurbished inside then?

 

[CJSwan]

Didn't know that. Have all the 170s been refurbished inside then?

170417-420 (I think) are still in their original internal condition but with saltire carpets laid down in the last year or so

 

[hexagon789]

170417-420 (I think) are still in their original internal condition but with saltire carpets laid down in the last year or so

Do you know if they still have the older-style First Class seats at all, rather than the same ones as Standard?

 

[scotraildriver]

Do you know if they still have the older-style First Class seats at all, rather than the same ones as Standard?

401-420 retain the original first class seats up to 415 being being retrimmed at refurbishment. 425 - 434 and 450 - 456 have the same as standard but with recliners.

 

[Southsider]

Do you know if they still have the older-style First Class seats at all, rather than the same ones as Standard?

We seem to be drifting a long way off topic ...

 

[hexagon789]

We seem to be drifting a long way off topic ...

Sorry, but at least it's still rail-related

 

[hexagon789]

401-420 retain the original first class seats up to 415 being being retrimmed at refurbishment. 425 - 434 and 450 - 456 have the same as standard but with recliners.

Thanks for that.

 

[Mingulay]

Reducing fares would not be sensible as it would increase demand.

They have reduced fares on the alternative route to encourage people to take that.

Reducing fares would not be sensible as it would increase demand.

They have reduced fares on the alternative route to encourage people to take that.

I don't have an alternative route. Your logic suggests reduce fares and the trains will be rammed. If that was the case we would not see year on year price increases as revenue would rise if lower fares meant more passengers. A balance I accept. . I don't buy that. A sensible reduction in fares on routes affected is the only way a responsible customer focused company acknowledges that things are not right.

I do hope public opinion gets behind a fares reduction for the time being and our elected representatives feel the heat and so Scotrail also.

To argue otherwise means that you think the public should pay the same fare no matter the service good bad or indifferent. Hardly the motivation to drive quality and customer care on the rails

 

[MatthewRead]

Are there any trains that can be used as a stop gap measure or is that too much to ask for?

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

The railway has never reduced fares for a restricted/disrupted service.
Sundays/weekends can be a nightmare everywhere but there are no cheaper fares.
In any case if the current service capacity/frequency is maintained, there's no room for complaint.
The time for discounts is after the new trains come in, to utilise the new capacity.

 

[hexagon789]

Are there any trains that can be used as a stop gap measure or is that too much to ask for?

They are considering taking 10 off-lease 365s

 

[hexagon789]

The railway has never reduced fares for a restricted/disrupted service.
Sundays/weekends can be a nightmare everywhere but there are no cheaper fares.
In any case if the current service capacity/frequency is maintained, there's no room for complaint.
The time for discounts is after the new trains come in, to utilise the new capacity.

Perhaps, but even a token gesture of lowering fares on the longer route (time-wise) is better than nothing.

 

[Mingulay]

The railway has never reduced fares for a restricted/disrupted service.
Sundays/weekends can be a nightmare everywhere but there are no cheaper fares.
In any case if the current service capacity/frequency is maintained, there's no room for complaint.
The time for discounts is after the new trains come in, to utilise the new capacity.

What the railway way has done historically is no reason for what they should do now. It's all about customer relations and acknowledging that there is a squeeze coming. Need to think outside the box guys.

If customer satisfaction is at the heart of having a competitive franchise system they need to show they care. They value those paying the fares So no. Fare reductions for periods of prolonged disruption. No ifs. No buts.

 

[Failed Unit]

Perhaps, but even a token gesture of lowering fares on the longer route (time-wise) is better than nothing.

But as others have said people travelling between Glasgow and Edinburgh already have a choice. It is people at Linlithgow, Polmont, Falkirk, Croy and Lenzie suffering.

They have no alternative as the Stirling trains can’t cope with what they get.

Well actually the choice is use the M9 which I know people are already doing then taking the tram into town. I suspect they will need to lower fare to get them back. Not sure what the plan b is for someone heading to Glasgow.

 

[hexagon789]

What the railway way has done historically is no reason for what they should do now. It's all about customer relations and acknowledging that there is a squeeze coming. Need to think outside the box guys.

If customer satisfaction is at the heart of having a competitive franchise system they need to show they care. They value those paying the fares So no. Fare reductions for periods of prolonged disruption. No ifs. No buts.

I quite agree, it's one of the most basic things they can do and should do in times like this.